16.2.1Introduction
Pilot Project:
During 2020, the Department of Basic Education plans to launch two different projects in schools before rolling out the new proposed Digital Skills Curriculum in all schools in 2021. Broadly speaking, the idea is that digital skills will be implemented in the Foundation Phase. Robotics is planned for Grades 4 – 9 where it will possibly form part of the Technology Curriculum. After discussions with the DBE, they indicated that they would welcome it if schools wanted to participate in the pilot project.
Please note: The SAOU is therefore not in charge of the pilot project itself and the names of interested schools will be sent to the DBE for further consideration.
However, there are many schools that offer robotics and coding as an extracurricular activity. Here are some ideas for schools that are interested in tackling the world of digital education.
Some specials school already have robotics teams and their autistic learners are thriving. It’s not just for mainstream schools.
Here are some options that SAOU is aware of. Unfortunately, SAOU cannot make any recommendations as to which product is best. Each school will have to research and determine what fits into their budget and which meets their needs. Each product has its pros and cons and this piece of information refers to what we are already aware of. However, we are sure that this will be a very good learning curve for all of us. The SAOU is happy to learn and welcome any information and suggestions.
Loodsprojek:
Gedurende 2020 beplan die Departement van Basiese Onderwys om twee verskillende projekte in skole te loods voordat dit in 2021 in alle skole uitgerol word. In breë trekke is die idee dat digitale vaardighede in die Grondslagfase implementeer sal word. Hierdie voorgestelde Digitale Vaardigheidskurrikulum word volgende jaar nasionaal in 50 skole geloods.
Robotika word beplan vir Graad 4 – 6 waar dit moontlik deel van die Tegnologie-kurrikulum sal vorm. Hierdie projek word in 2020 in 100 skole geloods. Na gesprekke met die DBO het hul aangedui dat hul dit verwelkom as skole aan die loodsprojek sou wou deelneem.
Die SAOU is dus nie self aan die stuur van sake hier nie en word die name van belangstellende skole aan die DBO gestuur vir verdere hantering.
Daar is egter baie skole wat robotika en kodering as ‘n buitemuurse aktiwiteit aanbied.
Hier is ‘n paar idees vir skole wat belangstel om reeds/self die wêreld van digitale onderrig aan te pak:
Nuwe Hoop in Pretoria het ‘n robotika span en die outistiese leerders floreer. Dit is nie net vir hoofstroom skole nie.
Hier is ‘n paar opsies waarvan SAOU bewus is. SAOU kan ongelukkig geen aanbevelings maak ten opsigte van watter produk die beste is nie en elke skool sal self moet ondersoek en kyk wat in hul begroting inpas en aan hul behoeftes voldoen. Elke produk het sy voor-en nadele en verwys hierdie inligtingstuk na dit waarvan ons reeds bewus is. Ons is egter seker dat hierdie ‘n baie goeie leerkurwe vir ons almal sal wees. Die SAOU leer graag en verwelkom enige inligting en voorstelle.